Democracy Now!'s Nermeen Shaikh: Violence as Salvation: Questions in the Face of Benevolent Power

Democracy Now!'s Nermeen Shaikh: Violence as Salvation: Questions in the Face of Benevolent Power

Power today is exercised mostly in the name of good, says Democracy Now!'s Nermeen Shaikh in this public discussion. "The purveyors of power, and those who are its recipients, often construe its deployment as an act of benevolence, or at least of eventual improvement, if not salvation. The exercise of power is inextricably bound with violence, visible and invisible."

Shaikh's talk addresses "why it is imperative to question the use of power, to reveal its violent underside, even as its professed intentions are noble, its locus is dispersed, its reach infinite, especially as we live in the only imperial state remaining, whose influence is felt, tangibly and less tangibly, all over the world."

She discusses contemporary news events, as well as examples from other forms of storytelling, to demonstrate "how such questions can persistently be raised even, or perhaps especially, when they may appear unnecessary, futile or hopeless."

Further

Academics are increasingly, ingeniously fighting back against an Orwellian "Professor Watchlist" aimed at exposing "radical" teachers. The list has inspired online trolls to name their own suspects - Albus Dumbledore, Dr. Pepper, Mr. Spock - and a Watchlist Redux to honor not trash targets from Jesus to teachers daring to "think critically about power." Now 100 Notre Dame professors have asked to join the list in solidarity, proclaiming, "We wish to be counted among those you are watching."